Washington (CNN) - President Barack Obama gave House Democrats what appears to be the strongest indication to date that he would agree to a short-term debt ceiling increase, if that’s what Republicans would accept, a Democratic lawmaker tells CNN.

The president made his remarks at a private White House meeting with all House Democrats.

The Democratic lawmaker said the president signaled more “give” to the idea of a deal of around six weeks for lifting the debt ceiling.

Talking about a short-term solution, he told the group “if that’s what (House Speaker John) Boehner needs to climb out of the tree that he’s stuck in, then that’s something we should look at.”

The president also said if Republicans want to propose a short-term fix and Democrats say no, then the firm
ground Democrats think they’re standing on now would soften.

The lawmaker came away from the White House meeting saying he sees a “small measure of hope that this becomes an exit strategy.”

CNN has been reporting that senior House GOP sources are signaling openness to the idea of a short-term increase in the debt ceiling, as long as Democrats agree to negotiations on how to reduce the debt and deficit during the time the debt ceiling is increased.

But Republican sources have also told CNN the parameters of those talks have to be specific enough to sell to their skeptical GOP members.

What would Democrats be willing to talk about? The Democratic lawmaker said House Democrats are open to hearing what Republicans have in mind

The House Democrat also said the president joked with Democrats that the Republicans’ list of demands is so long the only thing missing is a demand for his resignation.

soundoff(19 Responses)

Now its time for the Republicans to step up and give some.Speakeer Boehner needs to take charge of his party and tell the Tea Baggers to sit down and shut up.

October 9, 2013 08:47 pm at 8:47 pm |

CAWinMD

Wow - the first truly intelligent statement that's come out of this whole fiasco. Defining the parameters of the negotiation is a good idea. If Republicans think that negotiations mean "We only talk about spending cuts", then those aren't negotiations at all. Each side should say what they are looking for, and then find common ground in the middle. You know, politics before the Tea Party got involved.

October 9, 2013 08:57 pm at 8:57 pm |

Dave

Obummer better back it on up ...you are not well takin in many peoples minds.

October 9, 2013 09:11 pm at 9:11 pm |

Evergreen

Why do the GOP get to make all the demands. Democrates should demand universal background checks, an end to corporate subsidies and passage of a jobs bill.

October 9, 2013 09:25 pm at 9:25 pm |

Scott

Funded or not Obamacare will be as it is. Hundreds of thousands of Americans are checking it out. A very few have already purchased some healthcare insurance. We don't know how old those people are or why they have purchased their plans, or what their choice of plans is. I estimate 25,000 have enrolled so far after 9 days.

Some of the 25,000 may be young men.

In order to reach the stated goal that 2.7 million young males, a start, have healthcare coverage under an exchange by January 1, an average of 48,000 a day in this group must sign up between now and December 15. Their premiums are slated to pay the medical bills of older Americans that are not as healthy as the young males.

October 9, 2013 09:29 pm at 9:29 pm |

Richard Long

"The fact that we are here today to debate raising America’s debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a Sign that the US Government cannot pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government’s reckless fiscal policies. ...Increasing America’s debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that 'the buck stops here'. Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and Grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better."
BHO

October 9, 2013 09:46 pm at 9:46 pm |

Randy, San Francisco

Kicking the problem down the road is like slow water torture. Don't blame Washington, just look in the mirror if you voted for an insurgent obstructionist Tea Party politician.

October 9, 2013 10:06 pm at 10:06 pm |

Woman In California

The House Democrat also said the president joked with Democrats that the Republicans’ list of demands is so long the only thing missing is a demand for his resignation.

That's exactly what they want but they'll have to go through the millions of us who voted for you and they don't have the guts to do that.

As far as negotiations go, I'm willing to hold my comment until after the meeting.

October 9, 2013 10:09 pm at 10:09 pm |

Kinard

I'd refuse to deal with these terrorist forever. After the dust settles, I'd also demand they be deported from the country, with no way of ever entering again, under threat of imprisonment or death. They've ruined themselves with anyone who can think, see and feel. They don't deserve to be here.

October 9, 2013 10:17 pm at 10:17 pm |

Catmandew

No the people have been demanding that since your second year in office Mr President. You still joke about this whole mess your grandstanding politics have caused. And your too blind to see the damage you are doing by policy to our country. One only need to look at the coal industry or trucking or any regulated industry and its quite obvious.

October 9, 2013 10:30 pm at 10:30 pm |

freedom

Obama = Failure
The American people are waking up.

October 9, 2013 10:54 pm at 10:54 pm |

Wake up People!

No Mr. President NO!!

October 9, 2013 11:24 pm at 11:24 pm |

Thomas

Dont you love guys like Ted Cruz , they start a fire then go and hide .

Please don't cave this time. We all need some strength in elected officials!!!!

October 10, 2013 12:08 am at 12:08 am |

Michael Benjamin

Those negotiations were in different times, different circumstances and different presidents.

October 10, 2013 12:57 am at 12:57 am |

davete2013

Well, I hope Republicans are satisfied that Obama is trying to reach out. If they keep insisting on repealing Obamacare or tampering with the mandate, they will not get any deal.. But if they agree to open the government and increase the debt ceiling for a short period of time so that we can negotiate an agreement then this is the best they can squeeze out of the mess that was created by Ted Cruz. I think it's fair to say that our leaders are starting to wear out on this shutdown chaos. They are getting slammed with phone calls from people complaining left and right and when the investors start complaining too and the contributions get put on hold, that makes the leaders start moving on this to save their jobs. The pressure is building to a boiling point and something has got to give or we are facing a possible depression. It's time to stop playing games and start negotiating a settlement that is reasonable for both parties (aside from tampering with Obamacare).

October 10, 2013 03:06 am at 3:06 am |

davete2013

If the GOP want to save face, they should support Paul Ryan's plan, even if they don't get everything they are asking for. They can not expect to be rewarded for shutting down the government, but if they need help getting out of this mess, I'm sure Obama will be glad to help however he can, without having to repeal his signature achievement. There is no way he will delay the mandate for a year, so that the GOP can buy more time to destroy it. He knows that if the GOP wins the Senate back next year, they will destroy Obamacare. He is not as stupid as the GOP thinks he is. So, let's not touch Obamacare, but if they want to talk about austerity and cutting other programs, then perhaps they can make a deal that is reasonable for both parties. To repeal Obamacare, the GOP will need to win back the Senate and the Presidency. Otherwise, they will not be able to defeat it without the proper votes. Holding the economy hostage has only backfired and has done more damage to their chances of winning next year's election. But it's not too late to save face if they do it before we default on our debts. Time is running out so I hope they do the right thing and open up the government so that we can get back to work.

October 10, 2013 03:12 am at 3:12 am |

J.V.Hodgson

He ( Obama) invited all Republican house members. Boehner would only allow 18 to go I guess 2rds teaparty supporters
Regards,
Hodgson.

October 10, 2013 03:52 am at 3:52 am |

Name Uche Agonsi

Mr. President must not show desparation this development . Neither should he let his humane considerations becloud his sense of good judgement. For goodness sake he is the POTUS and Commander-in-Chief. Boehner deserves to make concessions for being the terrorist. Infact Mr. President would feel more dignified for history to portray him as a President that fought relentlessly for American goodwill, but had setbacks by hate politics of imperialist forces rather than a leader that chickened out under internal terrorism. If Boehner thinks it would humiliate him to surrender why did he resort to terrorism, which his party cheered robustly when the government was shutdown. Mr. President shoud not go for any unwholesome demands from the Repubs. The Sequestration caused him much economic setback. He doesnt either need any economic concessions that will derail his recovery program.